by "jenngrahamx" Buffalo, NY United States Reviewed on October 17th, 2002
I do not profess to be a hardcore Zappa fan, at least not before yesterday when a friend lent me Absolutely Free and I heard it for the first time. Yes, I had listened to Freak Out and We're in it for the Money as well as a bunch of bootleg stuff throughout my college years. But until yesterday I was not a convert of the heart. Zappa was a genius musically, lyrically and politically. This album showcases all the stuff I've always loved about him plus introduces me to new reasons to keep listening. If you crave steady predictable beats, politically correct lyrics, or "ooh baby I love you" ballads this album is not for you. But, if you are ready to challenge yourself, make fun of EVERYONE, laugh, stir things up a bit and really listen then give it a go. 35 year old instrumental track Invocation and Ritual Dance of the Pumpkin is STILL ahead of the game musically. Plastic People forces us to look in the mirror. And Brown Shoes Don't Make It points out the hipocracy inherent in the system... I'll leave it at that. All along the careful ear will hear him making fun of all the popular music of the day. No one is safe: The Beatles, The Doors, The Beach Boys and Elvis to name a few. This album does what art is supposed to do: holds up a cultural mirror and forces honesty. And it does so with some damned fine guitar riffs and arrangements. Get this album, and whatever you do, HAVE FUN!
Lyrics contained within GoldLyrics.com subject to US Copyright Laws and are the property of their respective authors, artists and labels. If you like the lyrics, GoldLyrics.com encourages you to buy the CDs of the albums and whenever possible, GoldLyrics.com gives a link, where you can buy the album.
